Paul McCartney names his three favourite albums of all time

In a new post on his website, The Beatles legend Paul McCartney has listed his three favourite albums of all time.

As part of an ongoing monthly segment on his website, called ‘You Know The Answer’, McCartney responds to one question from a fan, and this month, it was somebody named Alex’s turn who poignantly asked The Beatles icon about his favourite records.

Alex wrote: “My partner and I have recently been discussing the albums and songs that have soundtracked our lives. Are there any albums that take you back to certain periods in your life? And does performing your own music evoke similar memories?”

In response, McCartney went above and beyond with his reply, naming albums by The Band, The Beach Boys and Neil Young that have been with him at vital chapters throughout his life.

“Yeah, definitely. My favourite albums by other people tend to be: Music from Big Pink by The Band, Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, and Harvest by Neil Young,” he shared.

McCartney continued: “They are the three classics that I love to listen to, and they all remind me of certain times in my life. When I perform my own songs, the great thing is that they often bring back memories of recording them. That can often entail memories of John and George in the studio – sweet memories!”

Those three albums come courtesy of acts that McCartney has spoken fondly about on countless occasions throughout the decades, and his most loyal fans will not be surprised by his selections.

Following the death of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson earlier this month, McCartney honoured him with a beautiful tribute, writing, “Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while.”

McCartney continued by referencing his favourite song of all time, which appears on Pet Sounds, adding, “How we will continue without Brian Wilson, ‘God Only Knows’.” He signed off the message by saying, “Thank you, Brian.”

Meanwhile, he has also previously shared a stage with Neil Young, who holds McCartney in the highest regard as a songwriter. When he inducted McCartney into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, Young said to those in attendance: “Paul McCartney is one of the greatest songwriters ever. He’ll be remembered hundreds of years from now.”

Notably, this weekend, Young is set to headline the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival on June 28th, and has banned the BBC from broadcasting his set.

Paul McCartney’s favourite albums

The Band – Big Pink

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds

Neil Young – Harvest